The iPod has become as important as a personal cell phone.
According to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal, the number of complaints about broken iPods is on the rise. Common problems include: batteries that no longer hold a charge, malfunctioning hard disks, and damaged screens. In some cases, users who accidentally drop their iPods or otherwise subject them to abuse cause problems; but other users say their iPods go belly up even after normal use.
In an online survey of more than 6,400 consumers, 82% of iPod owners were completely or very satisfied with the device, compared with 76% for rival music devices. But even if only a tiny percentage of iPods malfunction (Apple claims no more than 5%) the huge popularity of the device means a significant number of users could be affected.
For those of us out there who didn't opt for the extended warranty, all is not lost. There's a cottage industry of independent iPod repair shops that offer replacement services for less than what Apple charges for comparable repairs, including do-it-yourself battery replacement kits ranging from $25 to $35, that usually include a special tool for prying open the iPod. There are tons of services on the web, though lots of them make you cover the cost of insuring the item during shipping, or charge you just to look at the machine. Here are the top three services on the Internet that deal in broken iPods:
1. iPod ResQ - This site will buy all versions of broken iPods. You just have to fill in a form and they will send you back a purchase price (typically between $35 and $95). Hey, that's money that can then be applied to the purchase of a new iPod. The site also claims that there is nothing they can't fix. They service any model of iPod, and do screen repairs, battery replacements, sync problems, scroll wheel problems, audio jack repairs, hard drive problems, USB problems, and firewire problems, via their worldwide 24-hour iPod repair and battery program. Whether you order the Next Day Diagnostic Service or a Flat Rate Repair Service, they provide the appropriate shipper-approved packaging (‘iBox'), which can hold up to 2 iPods, arrange the delivery through their own courier, insure the shipment, call you with a diagnosis and an estimate, perform the repairs, and send the unit(s) back to you, usually within a business day.
2. Methodshop.com - This site offers advice on how to fix your iPod yourself, for free. If you can't find the answers you are looking for, you can send them an email and they will get back to you with free iPod tech support. If you're still stumped, they refer you to the site below...
3. iPodMods - They offer professional iPod Repair Services & Customization, including iPod LCD Screen Repair for all models, iPod Hard Drive Repairs and Upgrades, iPod Panel replacements, and iPod Battery and cable replacements. They also offer free iPod repair testing. Unlike with iPod ResQ, you must provide your own shipping packaging and insurance. Once received, a Certified Technician determines the problem with the iPod, calls you within 48 hours with a repair quote; and either fixes it and sends it back to you, or offers to buy your iPod for extra parts.
4. iRepair.ca - They guarantee the lowest price on iPod repair, although since they are based in Canada, it may cost you a bundle more in shipping. You order the repair online, pack and ship your iPod to them, and they fix it and send it back. The best thing about them is that they provide a 1-year warranty on all LCDs, and a 90-day warranty on all other parts.
If you know of any local businesses in Southern California that repairs iPods let us know, we'll put them on our show.
